""This is a moment for clarity, urgency, and action," Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said. "These viruses are serious, dangerous, and life-threatening. We are seeing children who are seriously ill, families grieving devastating losses, and hospitals under capacity strain.""
""Each region in Massachusetts has been ranked "very high" for influenza-like illness activity, according to DPH's dashboard. The severity is ranked one classification lower at "high," but hospitalizations and deaths are up. Statewide, hospitals saw nearly 9,000 emergency department visits each day last week, DPH said, with about 25 percent of those related to respiratory illness like flu, COVID, and RSV. Flu is also driving up hospitals' capacity levels, according to the state's public health agency.""
""Goldstein urged all residents and at-risk populations to get vaccinated against the flu and COVID. People older than 75, at-risk people older than 50, and pregnant people should be vaccinated against RSV, DPH said.""
Massachusetts is experiencing an early and severe influenza surge with 29 adult and three pediatric deaths reported as of Dec. 27, and two additional pediatric deaths since. Boston reported an early 114 percent spike in flu cases typically seen in late January, a trend reflected nationally and driven by a new variant. Every region in the state is ranked very high for influenza-like illness, and hospitalizations and deaths have increased. Hospitals averaged nearly 9,000 emergency visits daily last week, about 25 percent for respiratory illness, contributing to capacity strain. COVID and RSV remain low, though a few possible associated deaths are under review. Vaccination against flu and COVID is recommended, with RSV vaccination advised for older and at-risk groups and pregnant people.
Read at Boston.com
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